WACO, Texas -
The Baylor equestrian team took over the top spot in the Women's Intercollegiate Equestrian National Coaches Poll for the first time in program history. The Lady Bears earned 82 points, the most in any poll ranking to date.

In their most recent competition, the Lady Bears beat Kansas State 10-6, improving their season record to 11-2. Baylor is now 5-1 in Big 12 and has defeated each Big 12 team.

"I'm very excited, except I feel like there is a great danger in thinking we're number one and getting danced over from resting on our laurels," head coach Ellen White said. "The girls are riding well and I feel like the main focus is to practice harder tomorrow than you did today. The other teams will practice hard until championships. We've got to hang in there."

The Bulldogs lost to South Carolina 12-8 in their last competition, dropping them to second place. Texas A&M rose to the No.3 spot with 63 points, reaching its highest national ranking.

"South Carolina has really turned a corner," White said. "They lost all fall and they've beat Auburn and Georgia this spring."

Auburn didn't compete last week and slipped to fourth place with 60 points. The Tigers will travel to Waco on March 7 to face Baylor, hoping to continue their hold on the 2-1 series.

After their win over Georgia, the Gamecocks swapped places with Oklahoma State to move up to fifth place. The Cowgirls have 47 points at sixth place.

Texas Christian remains in seventh place, while Kansas State improves to eighth with 24 points. Fresno State advanced to No. 9 with New Mexico State only one point behind at the No. 10 spot.

The collegiate coaches competing under the Varsity Equestrian Championship umbrella initiated the national poll. The final poll of the season will be released April 21, 2009.